If you missed my announcement on January 15th, I released the first block in my 2019 BOM wool applique project!
For more information on this block and the free pattern, go to my Block of the Month page.
So, if you want to join in on the fun, but do not know anything about wool applique, I’m going to give you some tips and techniques here.
First of all, my wool applique projects are stitched on 100% cotton backgrounds. Sometimes they are pieced backgrounds like the block above or sometimes just a plain background will do. In my BOM project patterns, if there is a pieced background needed, the instructions are included in the pattern.
Step 1: Once I have my background block, I like to reinforce the edges with Fray Check to keep the block from fraying from all the handling while stitching.
Step 2: Templates. In my patterns, the templates are included. I like to reinforce them by gluing the page with the templates onto a piece of cardstock or thin cardboard. Then I cut out each template. Reinforcing them allows you to re-use the over several times. It also keeps your shapes from distorting as you trace around them.
Once you have your templates ready, it’s time to trace them onto fusible web. I use Heat’n Bond Featherlite, but you can use your preferred brand. Check with your local quilt shop on what they like to use. Using a pencil, trace the shapes needed onto the paper side of the fusible web.
Leave enough space between your tracings for cutting out the shapes. You’ll want to cut out the shapes outside the lines. My templates are ready to trace but all patterns may not be the same. If there is a motif that needs to face a particular way, you will have to trace the template reversed. For example, if you have a jug with a handle that faces to the right on the project, you need to trace the template for the jug with the handle facing to the left.
Step 3: Time to fuse the fusible web shape to the chosen wool. Since wool is expensive, you need to position your pieces on the wool to close together as shown, leaving room to cut out the pieces. Make sure to place the fusible shape with the paper side up. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the type of fusible you purchased for iron temperature, etc.
Now when you cut out the units, the top part of the wool can be saved for a future project.
Believe me… I keep all my scraps! You never know when you’ll need them.
Step 4: Now it’s time to fuse the wool shape to the background. Peel the paper backing off the shape and there will be a shiny surface left on the wool piece. Place the shiny side down on the background fabric.
I like to use a white towel dampened with water to cover the wool motif, then I press to fuse the piece to the background. The steam from the damp towel helps to fuse the wool to the background. Also, the towel protects the wool pieces from the iron.
Now you’re ready to stitch!
Come back later this week for a stitching mini tutorial. It will be a short video demonstrating how to do the blanket stitch which is the most common stitch used.
Until then, enjoy getting ready for the stitching!
Happy Quilting & Stitching!
Deanne
Thank you I bought some wool and want to try this just need some time for it
Thanks for the tips on using wool, my first time applique with wool !
Thank you. I’m not sure why but I thought that freezer paper was good to use to iron on my wool pieces. So I traced the pattern on the freezer paper, ironed it onto my wool, and then cut out my patterns. Well that worked well but, of course, when I peeled off the paper there was no sticky back to iron the wool pieces to each other. Any suggestions to keep pieces in place for stitching now?
For those pieces, use a few basting stitches in each to hold in place until you get them stitched. ; )
Linda’s idea is good. Basting stitches or you can use Roxanne’s Glue Baste-it. I use that glue in my fabric applique and it works well with wool applique as well.
Thanks! Stuff I knew but good reinforcement!
I find that the adhesive from fusible web. sticks to my needle & makes it hard to get the needle through the wool.
Try Heat n’ Bond Featherlite. It’s a lot lighter and I found that I have no problem with it.
How do I quilt a will quilt?
Hi Phyliss,
I usually hand quilt my wool quilts with a large primitive stitch using perle cotton. I find that machine quilting crushes the wool pieces. However, if you have a large quilt with wool applique, I recommend an experienced long-arm quilter. Look closely of my photo of this project to see how I quilted it:
https://shop.snugglesquilts.com/collections/wool-applique-patterns/products/banner-seasons-too-wool-applique-quilt-pattern
Wool quilt